Te Pa Harakeke wins at Civil Engineering Contractors Awards

Two contractors entered separately, but together took home the award for the category.

At the Civil Contractors Nelson Marlborough Awards, Nelmac and Taylors Contracting were announced joint winners for their work on Te Pa Harakeke. Entering the ‘Eliot Sinclair sponsored $750,001 to $2 Million’ category, both recognised as instrumental in the delivery of the very successful and popular Te Pa Harakeke project.  

Nelson’s tamariki and adults alike have enjoyed the park, which features natural playground equipment, including a rope climbing course, a teepee and a bird-watching hut, for the past nine months since opening in November 2022. Prior to this, contractors spent months preparing and building the space. Taylors Contracting were tasked with the job of cleaning out the old Modellers Pond. This involved the removal of concrete from around the Pond and the drying out and removal of algae as well as the relocation of the Pond’s inhabitants – eel and whitebait.   

Nelmac’ involvement was the detailed landscape design and the playground design and construction. The space includes large open grassed areas with seating and shelter. A network of trails and boardwalks wind through the site connecting spaces together.   

Deputy Chief Executive/Group Manager Infrastructure Alec Louverdis said the awards keep on coming for Te Pa Harakeke. 

“Te Pa Harakeke won Healthy Park of the Year at the 2023 Recreation Aotearoa Parks Awards and has been praised for its use of natural play equipment and materials the reflect the nearby estuary and beach. This project involved extensive groundwork and an innovative approach to design and we are delighted that our contractors for this project have been recognised for their work.”